Leaders of religious orders react
to the pope’s death

By Sean Gallagher

Leaders of religious orders across the archdiocese reacted to the death of Pope John Paul II through written statements.

“The Saint Meinrad community is greatly saddened by the death of our Holy Father…” said Benedictine Archabbot Justin DuVall, the leader of Saint Meinrad Archabbey. “Pope John Paul’s love for the priesthood provided inspiration for the seminarians of our School of Theology.”

Providence Sister Margaret Ann O’Hara, general superior of the Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, said the pope would be remembered as a peacemaker among all peoples and nations.

“He intervened as a mediator among nations,” she said. “He gave his total self to serve other people and to serve the Church. He had a genuine appreciation for other people’s cultures.”

Little Sister of the Poor Geraldine Harvie, superior of her community at the St. Augustine Home for the Aged in Indianapolis, spoke about the model that the pope gave in how to bear the sufferings of age with dignity.

“Our Holy Father’s example of serene acceptance of his suffering was a ‘light’ for the whole world,” she said. “He knew what it was to be old and to suffer and he valued all it entailed.”

The Sisters of St. Francis of Oldenburg pointed to the pope’s efforts to foster reconciliation among nations in an issued statement about his death.

“The Oldenburg sisters, involved in many peace and justice endeavors, recall Pope John Paul II, who was an avid patron of peace and justice among all peoples. We pray that his Holiness [will] intercede for all of us left here to carry out his mission to everyone we meet.”

In a prepared statement, the Sisters of St. Benedict at Our Lady of Grace Monastery in Beech Grove honored the late pope for his ministry to the world’s youth.

“His love for the youth of our Church and of the world shone brightly whenever he was around them. He spoke directly to them and called them to a faithful living of the Gospel. Their enthusiastic response to his message is a testament to his leadership.”

Members of the Society of Jesus serving in Indianapolis also praised the pope’s legacy while also expressing sadness at his death.

“The Society of Jesus worldwide mourns the death of our Holy Father along with the entire Church,” said Jesuit Father Thomas Widner, rector of Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School and former editor of The Criterion. “…We accepted Pope John Paul’s leadership here and are perhaps stronger for his efforts.”

“John Paul II opened an important dialogue between Catholics and people of other religious traditions,” said Jesuit Father Benjamin Hawley, president of Brebeuf Jesuit. “We will miss his leadership and charismatic personality.”

Carmelite Sister Jean Alice McGoff, prioress of the Monastery of the Resurrection in Indianapolis, noted the pope’s positive impact upon the ongoing renewal of Carmelites around the world.

“In the 1980s, Pope John Paul, who was well-versed in the Carmelite tradition, visited Mexico and addressed a large group of contemplative nuns,” she said. “He encouraged them to let their monasteries become ‘centers of prayer’ where others could come and have their spiritual hunger fed. I noticed after that a real change of attitude in many American Carmels. This is a special memory of Pope John Paul in my life.” †